Quartz

New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Quartz (originally formed in 1974) has a new compilation in 2015 called "Too Hot to Handle" (Skol Records). For those into metal trivia and information: the band's keyboardist is Geoff Nichols from Black Sabbath.

Current line-up

David Garner - Vocals

Mick Hopkins - Guitar

Geoff Nicholls - Guitar/Keyboard

Derek Arnold - Bass

Malcolm Cope - Drums

"Originating from the Heavy Metal city of Birmingham,Quartz date back to 1974 releasing their first album on Jet records in 1977 which was produced by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi. Quartz were considered to be at the forefront of the NWOBHM boom at the end of the 1970's. The band toured heavily during this time, playing the Reading Festival three times (1976, 1977 and 1980) and touring with of some o...f the larger Hard rock bands of the time (Iron Maiden, Saxon, UFO,Gillan and Rush). The 1980 release 'Live Quartz-Count Dracula and other love songs showcased the live set from the 1970's. Quartz appear to have endeavoured to deliver a hard rock sound that was both classic and commercial,the band could certainly deliver the goods courtesy of some twin guitar riffery when needed but would also offer a bit of sophistication too.

Prior to the founding of Quartz,Mick Hopkins had played in Wages of Sin, a shortlived Birmingham band which toured as a backing band for Cat Stevens in 1970. After that band's dissolution, two of his bandmates, expatriate Canadians Ed and Brian Pilling, returned to Canada and formed the band Fludd; Hopkins briefly joined that band in 1972 as a replacement for founding guitarist Mick Walsh, but left by the end of the year after they were dropped from their original record label.

Late 1979 saw Geoff Nicholls leave the band to join the Legendary Black Sabbath providing Keyboards and songwriting for the Sabs for the next 24 years. Quartz released their second studio album, Stand Up and Fight, in 1980 and the album featured the singles 'Stoking up the fires of hell' and the title track 'Stand up and fight' the album was produced by the Legendary Derek Lawrence.

1983 brought the release of 'Against all Odd's' which had been partly written with Vocalist David Garner and the departing Derek Arnold had been replaced by Stephen Mcloughlin. Prior to the final recording of the opus David Garner was replaced by Geoff Bate who's vocals appear on the album.

During this period Malcolm Cope also joined the roll call of Quartz members being called up to Black Sabbath working on pre-production demo's for the 'Born Again' album. Incidently in 1980 Malcolm Cope was approached by Ozzy Osbourne to join his solo band but Malcolm declined stating Quartz was his Band and they had just signed a deal with MCA to record 'Stand Up And Fight'.

In 1994 'Sabbat' covered 'Satan's Serenade' on their Black up my soul compilation and in 2004 doom metal band, Orodruin covered "Stand Up and Fight" on their album Claw Tower. 2011 also saw 'Roxxcalibur cover 'Satan's Serenade' on their 'Lords Of NWOBHM' album."

This is a song from the new compilation.

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